August 2007

August 31, 2007

A couple of days ago was the first day of school. I would not want to send my kids
with lunch boxes tainted with lead...so they will be carrying lunch
totes by Mimi The Sardine.The
coated cotton is made in Sweden, the bags made right here in San
Francisco. Safe and cute, and usually for sale at Whole Foods. Another
great option, is offered by Lunchopolis.
These eco friendly lunch boxes also come with re-usable, stackable
plastic boxes and a water bottle. No need for plastic baggies and juice
boxes. I have not seen these lunch boxes around town, so I will be
ordering them from the company based in Southern California.

August 29, 2007

I was on my way to get my favortie chocolate yogurt fix at the Fraiche shop , when I saw a sign for $20 shoes at the store "In Her Shoes" located at 644 Emerson Street, Palo Alto. I took a look at the table and the shoes were adorable. I hesitated at first because these type of sales usually only have a few shoes displayed when you actually go into the store. But "In Her Shoes" had a room (yes, a room) in the back filled with shoes either for $20 or 75% off. Their amazingregular selection of shoes is also worth taking a look at. And even better, all profits above operating costs go to the Global Fund For Women.

I walked out with 5 pairs of top quality shoes for $100. And then went to get my yogurt. It was an amazing ending to a busy day with my kids. I will just call it shoe sale shopping therapy.

September issues of fashion magazines dominate stores with their abundant pages of colorful advertising and new designs. It's a fashion lover's paradise for a month, seen also through a variety of events around the Bay Area which we will continue to chronicle throughout the month. Take a moment to check out the September San Francisco magazine featuring "Fall Arts & Fashion".

August 25, 2007

Thursday night, Beth and I had the opportunity to observe the first of three evenings of San Francisco Fashion Week. Having not attended since their first year (2003), my expectations were met as the show has become both more professional and larger. Still largely by emerging designers, it's always refreshing to see new looks.

The crowd was similar to four years ago - "enthusiastic young women in baby doll dresses and stilettos," as described by Sylvia Rubin of the Chronicle, along with a dressier element. I saw more well-known designer threads than four years ago, more men, and more edgy black city style. Models came in various levels of experience, from what I could tell, but they all looked great. Largely in black and white, the designs showed both originality and depth.

Thursday's first set - "Emerging Stars" - showcased works of local design students. They chose to focus on the LBD (little black dress), later to auction off the works in a silent auction for the San Francisco Opera's BRAVO! CLUB. Pink Elf, Emily Jane, Vian Hunter, and Genevieve Primavera filled out the rest of the evening. The night's after party was held at Harlot. For some great photos, see Inside Bay Area's Best Dressed post, including one of Beth and my favorite Emily Jane polka dot dress.

Held at the San Francisco Design Center, the runway was on the first floor beneath the high ceilings as tiered levels rose above where onlookers watched from every angle. Upstairs on level 2, local merchants had booths - nothing too noteworthy except Lookspark, a locally based fashion social network (I'm sure we'll blog about them more in the future). The value of SF Fashion Week being mostly in the eye candy: people watching and of course the shows themselves. It was great fun seeing all of the variety.

Readers always ask what we wore - Beth broke in her new Nanette Lepore short trench jacket, along with a turquoise jewel toned blouse, black pants and black Donald Pliner pumps. I wore a black and white plaid Chanel jacket with an emerald mesh blouse, a vintage gray plaid Armani Exchange mini skirt with black tights and brown and black lace-up Stuart Weitzman pump-booties. We were both glad we opted for fall looks in the breeze of the city, as opposed to the summer looks many chose.

Yesterday's shows included Wee Scotty, Kirribilla, Evarize, and Missing Piece Artwear Collective with the after party at the Westfield San Francisco Centre. Tonight's feature Velvet Leaf, Vindy Co, Richard Hallmarq, Effie's Heart, Onerary, and 615 Project with the after party at Supperclub. Tickets may still be available both online and at the door.

August 24, 2007

Suzanne Rugh of Seattle magazine calls Julep "the thinking woman's nail salon" in their latest issue featuring "133 best shops". I suppose that's one way of looking at it. I thought it was cool, refreshing, relaxing and fun as well as stimulating. In Seattle last week, I looked up Jeanne Riley who is now COO of Julep, founded recently by Jane Park, a fellow mom and ex Starbucks exec. Jeanne, a tech whiz trained at Andersen Consulting, met Jane through a moms' group.

Along with Jeanne and 2 other friends of mine, I had a pedicure two Fridays ago while watching the end of "Sixteen Candles" (John Cusack was cute even when playing a geek). It was 80's day, one of their rotating Friday themes. Mommy Mondays are every week, as are "Sex and the City" or Girls' Night Out Thursdays (they typically show either "Sex and the City" and/or "Grey's Anatomy" on their flat screens those nights), and Tuesdays they give 10% of their revenue to non-profits, like The Nature Conservancy, as voted on by customers.

Julep uses only eco-friendly, organic nail polishes, custom creams and chairs of their own design in their first location across from University Village in Seattle. They also offer waxing services. The "Junior Julep" is for children who need basic manicures or pedicures and I'll admit the "Ultimate Chocolate Experience" caught my eye as well. (I'll have to try that one next time.) Julep also books the space for special events.

Free of the toxic fumes, elevator music, and dilapidated magazines typically found in nail parlors, Julep provided a wonderful afternoon retreat. This would also be a great place to bring your metrosexual beaus, ladies. I could see my husband trying his first pedicure at Julep. I can't wait until they open one in the Bay Area.

August 23, 2007

If you can find a copy of August's Vogue, check out the article "From Refugee to Runway Star" about Alek Wek's journey from her life as a girl with severe psoriasis in the Sudan to England where she worked hard, studied and was discovered by a model scout, later to become an international supermodel. It's excerpted from her upcoming book, Alek, coming out next Tuesday the 28th. Puts things into perspective.

August 22, 2007

According to Sandra Swanson from the Nob Hill Gazette, as quoted by Barneys New York Fashion Director Julie Gilhart, Barneys will be "the first high-end retailer to start [their] own green label... made entirely from certified organic cotton and vegetable dyes."

Tip/Aside for DVF fans: wrap dresses and tops are on sale here at barneys.com.

I am no billion dollar babe, but I have always wanted to attend one of their sales. I have heard about these sample sales from top designers, but have never attended one. The sale is coming to San Francisco on November second and third. They are still accepting r.s.v.p.s at this time. The sales are held all over the world. If you have ever attended one, let me know !

August 20, 2007

Bloomingdale's in San Francisco and at Stanford are hosting a "Giving In Style" day this Wednesday from 10am-10pm. If you have a coupon code, you can get up to 15% off and Bloomingdale's is giving $5,000 to Girls, Incorporated of Alameda County. So ask your friends if you didn't get an offer card in the mail or go into the store and ask for one.

If you haven't been to the Bloomingdale's store in San Francisco, it's really spectacular - leaps and bounds more merchandise than Stanford and more variety too. It's a gorgeous store and the shoe department is dreamy.

August 19, 2007

I have been stopping by my usual haunts to check out the fall fashion previews. I have not seen any fall must haves, other then cashmere. I have a weak spot for cashmere. The only designs that I know I just must have have been dresses and sweaters made out of that luxurious goat hair.

One of the best fall collections I have seen was at Tse Cashmere. There are beautiful jackets of various shapes. Tse has some of the most innovative designs. Aside from the classic collection, there are sweater dresses that I must add to my fall wardrobe. They are simple and soft.The lower priced Tsesay line offers some great options.This is not your typical Cashmere sweater shop. Tse is carried in select department stores, or you can see the entire collection at their Palo Alto or Maiden Lane boutiques.

I thought I was too old for Vince. I was wrong. I really like the simple, urban designs. The fall collection includes some great pleated white shirts, but once again, I fell for the cashmere. Vince offers a variety of sweater coats, dresses and tunics this season. Bloomingdales has a great selection of Vince.

Black and gray are my colors. I am thrilled that gray is in. I never knew that it was out. I may be wearing a sweater dress this fall, but I will not be pairing it with booties. Now to decide between the Tse and the Vince dresses...

August 17, 2007

I am really looking forward to the Sept. 19th opening of Barneys in San Francisco. Barneys is an amazing store. I am wondering if our store will have the Co-op or not. I have not seen much on the opening of this N.Y.C. institution. If any of you fashionistas have details on opening celebrations, please let me know. I should have bought a Vince sweater while I was in Boston. I am hoping to grab one on Sept. 19th.The collection of designers that Barneys features can not be beat. I am sure that the other shops in town are getting nervous...Barneys is coming to town !

August 14, 2007

No matter what city I am in, I want to check out the local boutiques. ( Of course I go to the museums too.)I always ask my fashionista friends for a list of their favorite places. I have also had great luck using the Lucky Magazine city guides. I just printed out the list for shops in Boston.I am heading out to Newbury St., and will let you know what treasures I find.

August 08, 2007

Finally, a topbutton sale that I can attend. (I always check top button while in N.Y.C. ) One of my favorite Bay Area designers, Erica Tanov is holding a summer sale at her S.F. and Berkeley shops. Erica Tanov designs unique, graceful clothing for women and children. If you can not make the sale which runs 8/4-8/31, there will be a chance to pick up some of Erica's samples and clearance at an upcoming fund rasier in Palo Alto on Sept. 7th. I promise lots of details in future posts !

August 07, 2007

Saturday night, Maria, who sadly will be leaving SF to move to Seattle soon, invited us to try out Yield Wine Bar in Dog Patch in San Francisco. The unimposing, natural wood atmosphere made us feel at home immediately.

Yield is proud to be the "first and only 'green' wine bar in San Francisco" and their organic wine list is rotated frequently. I had an excellent 2004 Sangiovese from San Vito in the Chianti region of Italy and my husband enjoyed a complex 2004 California blend of Grenache, Zinfandel, Syrah, and Mourvedre called "Steelhead Red" by Quiviara in Dry Creek. Yield also serves some amazing appetizers - their flat breads are amazing as were the beans and chocolate.

August 06, 2007

For those who love modern home and office furniture, Design Within Reach is a great place to find it. They rarely hold sample sales and next weekend, they will be selling items for up to 75% off at their Potrero Studio Warehouse, 2299 Alameda in San Francisco. Friends of mine have gone in the past and come back with some great furniture, lamps and storage items. For more information, call 415-773-4624. DWR recommends measuring the space you're looking to fill so that you know whatever you buy will fit before you take it home. (My guess is all sales are final.)

I am always searching boutiques for the perfect baby gifts. When you can not make it into favorite local boutique, Oliebollen has the perfect gifts for Bay Area babies. David Fussenegger designs unique cotton flannel blankets. (Just what all babies in S.F. need, especially in the summer !) These cozy blankets will keep babies warm and stylish, and are reasonably priced too.

August 05, 2007

Lucy & Lily, maker of "personalized pants" in SF are seeking new people to try out their process. August 8 and 9 from 6-8pm in downtown Palo Alto. Pants will be discounted 30%-40% (prices $90-$100). Participants will be required to go through a fitting process and fill out a questionaire. To RSVP, send email to pants[at]lucyandlily.com or call Claudia at 415-978-9550.

One of the things I love about August is contemplating what key pieces I will buy for Fall. I keep searching, and have yet to find a trend that calls out to me. Maybe I am just not reading the right magazines, but Fall fashion does not look too exciting so far. There is one trend that you will not see me in, low ankle booties.I just think these shoes are ridiculous. (I do recall having a pair of black Madonna booties back in 1985) I believe that I would look like a middle aged elf. I hope that I do not become a slave to fashion, and end up buying a pair just because... Are there any Fall trends I should be excited about ?